Joe Drago signs on for third term with OHF

Long-time local volunteer and educator Joe Drago is breaking new ground once again.

This past summer, Drago was re-elected for an unprecedented third two-year term as president of the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF). While some might assume the lure of “unfinished business” might well provide the primary motivation behind the move, the well-known retired principal suggests otherwise.

“I did it mainly because of people approaching me and asking me to stay on,” noted Drago, who admitted to having a lengthy and candid discussion with first vice-president (and heir apparent) Bill Bowman before moving forward in his current post.

“I certainly enjoy doing it, and with that kind of support, I decided to let my name stand once again.”

That said, the always talkative former director of hockey operations for the Sudbury Wolves is not lacking in passion over a number of key issues, which he wishes to see moved forward over the course of the next two years.

“Even if I wasn’t the president, I would be pushing for things I feel we need to accomplish,” said Drago.

The upcoming season marks the 15th year of his involvement with the OHF, a period that dates back to Drago sitting in the room as nothing more than an observer, looking to make inroads for northern hockey as commissioner of the NOJHL (Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League) at the time.

Two years later, he nudged his foot in the door as junior council chair, and then proceeded to work his way through the ranks, garnering election in consecutive two-year periods as second vice-president and first vice-president, before taking over the helm of the organization in June 2005.

As one might expect, there is more than enough to keep Drago busy with his current portfolio. And there are challenges — not the least of which is the challenge presented by the very nature of the make-up of this particular grouping.

The OHF — one of 13 Hockey Canada Branches across the country — is effectively an umbrella organization, which oversees a total of seven different branches of hockey in Ontario.

This differs dramatically from the set-up seen in every other province in Canada and can sometimes pose a problem in gaining consensus.

“One of my goals from the time I became involved with the OHF was to try and unify the group a lot more,” stated Drago. “I’m trying to ensure the various reps look at the overall picture — that’s been a priority since day one.”

Another sore point, according to the graduate of Clarkson University (Potsdam, N.Y.) lies in the number of teams that are housed in various categories of hockey in Ontario.

“At the Junior A level, we are way out of whack in my mind — we have more teams between the provincial Junior A (now the OJAHL and CCHL) and the NOJHL than four of five provinces put together.”

Among the remaining hot topic items, Drago lists the gradual loosening of residency restrictions and the need to involve “new” Canadians into the sport of hockey, as areas that continue to foster discussion and debate. “I would like to see us make residencey a little more flexible so kids can move. A lot of people in minor hockey treat the kids like they own them,” he noted.

To Drago, relying upon antiquated rulings based on the fact that they are long-standing traditions simply does not hold water.

“Some say that we’ve been doing it the same way for 100 years, but the world is changing. To say the answer is ‘no, we’ve always done it this way’ doesn’t satisfy me personally.”

Not that the recent recipient of the prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship Award from Rotary International is unaware of the potential impact on hockey in smaller communities. The argument about destroying smaller organizations “holds a lot of merit, but I think you have to be creative,” Drago suggested.

With numbers in minor hockey associations either remaining steady or declining, Drago is among those who are looking outside the box.

“The other priority I had was getting new Canadians to play hockey. We may have to start leagues, not to play serious games, but just to bring together all Italian kids, or all East Indian kids, and just introduce them to the game — let them play for fun.”

Somehow, Drago gathers all of these concerns, taking them in stride and moves forward, very gradually, gaining consensus.

It’s a path that is both unique and trend-setting. Friends in Sudbury would expect no less.

Randy Pascal is the voice of Eastlink Sports and the founder of SudburySports.com.